Provided is a hydroxide ion-conductive separator including a porous substrate and a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound filling pores of the porous substrate, wherein the LDH-like compound is a hydroxide and/or an oxide with a layered crystal structure, containing: Mg; and one or more elements, which include at least Ti, selected from the group consisting of Ti, Y, and Al.

Provided is a hydroxide ion-conductive separator including a porous substrate and a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound filling pores of the porous substrate, wherein the LDH-like compound is a hydroxide and/or an oxide with a layered crystal structure, containing: Mg; and one or more elements, which include at least Ti, selected from the group consisting of Ti, Y, and Al.

The present invention provides a novel anion conductor which comprises a layered metal hydroxide and can be used as an alkaline electrolyte film for use in a fuel cell or the like. An anion conductor characterized by comprising a molded product of a layered metal hydroxide represented by formula (1): [M.sub.x(OH).sub.y(A).sub.(αx-y)/z-nH.sub.2O] (wherein M represents a metal that can serve as a bivalent or trivalent cation; α represents the number of valency of the metal M, A represents an atom or an atomic group that can serve as an anion, and z represents the number of valency of the anion A, wherein, when (αx-y)/z is 2 or greater, A's may be different types of anions which can serve as anions having the same valencies as each other, or may be anions having different valencies from each other; and n represents the average number of molecules of interlayer water contained per one repeating unit). The anion conductor according to the present invention is composed of an inorganic material, and therefore has excellent heat resistance and physical strength and can be operated for a longer period at a higher temperature compared with the conventional ones when used as an anion conductor for a fuel cell, an air cell or the like.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate anion exchange membrane (cement paste) with an ionic conductivity of the order of 10.sup.−3 S/cm. The membrane can be formulated by mixing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and water with the cement to water ratio of 1:0.45. After initial setting time, the membrane undergoes curing in 7% calcium chloride solution and the Cl.sup.− ions in the membrane is converted to OH.sup.− form by immersing into saturated Ca(OH).sub.2 solution with pH 14 and it has been washed to remove the excess alkali. This membrane has high mechanical strength (Ultimate Tensile Strength: 6.3 MPa) and does not deteriorate even at high temperature (up to 450° C.) and alkaline atmosphere (pH 11.5-14). Also disclosed is a method of producing in-situ formation of membrane electrode assembly. This invention encompasses a process for producing and using the membrane in water electrolysis and fuel cell.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate anion exchange membrane (cement paste) with an ionic conductivity of the order of 10.sup.−3 S/cm. The membrane can be formulated by mixing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and water with the cement to water ratio of 1:0.45. After initial setting time, the membrane undergoes curing in 7% calcium chloride solution and the Cl.sup.− ions in the membrane is converted to OH.sup.− form by immersing into saturated Ca(OH).sub.2 solution with pH 14 and it has been washed to remove the excess alkali. This membrane has high mechanical strength (Ultimate Tensile Strength: 6.3 MPa) and does not deteriorate even at high temperature (up to 450° C.) and alkaline atmosphere (pH 11.5-14). Also disclosed is a method of producing in-situ formation of membrane electrode assembly. This invention encompasses a process for producing and using the membrane in water electrolysis and fuel cell.

A reformer assembly includes a vortex tube receiving heated fuel mixed with steam. A catalyst coats the inner wall of the main tube of the vortex tube and a hydrogen-permeable tube is positioned in the middle of the main tube coaxially with the main tube. With this structure the vortex tube outputs primarily Hydrogen from one end and Carbon-based constituents from the other end. In some embodiments a second vortex tube receives the Carbon output of the first vortex tube to establish a water gas shift reactor, producing Hydrogen from the Carbon output of the first vortex tube.

A reformer assembly includes a vortex tube receiving heated fuel mixed with steam. A catalyst coats the inner wall of the main tube of the vortex tube and a hydrogen-permeable tube is positioned in the middle of the main tube coaxially with the main tube. With this structure the vortex tube outputs primarily Hydrogen from one end and Carbon-based constituents from the other end. In some embodiments a second vortex tube receives the Carbon output of the first vortex tube to establish a water gas shift reactor, producing Hydrogen from the Carbon output of the first vortex tube.

A battery and an associated method are provided for generating power using an air cathode battery with a slurry anode. The method provides a battery with an air cathode separated from an anode current collector by an electrically insulating separator and an extrusion gap. The anode current collector extruder has a first plate with a plurality of slurry outlet perforations, and a sleeve having a first partition immediately adjacent to the extruder first plate, with a plurality of slurry inlet perforations. Active slurry is provided under pressure to an extruder inlet, and the extruder first plate slurry outlet perforations are selectively aligned with sleeve first partition slurry inlet perforations. Active slurry deposits are formed in the extrusion gap to mechanically charge the battery. In the discharge position, the sleeve moves so that the perforations no longer align, and slurry in the extruder is isolated from slurry in the extrusion gap.

Provided is a layered double hydroxide membrane containing a layered double hydroxide represented by the formula: M.sup.2+.sub.1−xM.sup.3+.sub.x(OH).sub.2A.sup.n−.sub.x/n.mH.sub.2O (where M.sup.2+ represents a divalent cation, M.sup.3+ represents a trivalent cation, A.sup.n− represents an n-valent anion, n is an integer of 1 or more, and x is 0.1 to 0.4), the layered double hydroxide membrane having water impermeability. The layered double hydroxide membrane includes a dense layer having water impermeability, and a non-flat surface structure that is rich in voids and/or protrusions and disposed on at least one side of the dense layer. The present invention provides an LDH membrane suitable for use as a solid electrolyte separator for a battery, the LDH membrane including a dense layer having water impermeability, and a specific structure disposed on at least one side of the dense layer and suitable for reducing the interfacial resistance between the LDH membrane and an electrolytic solution.

Provided is an LDH separator including a porous substrate and a layered double hydroxide (LDH) that fills up pores of the porous substrate. The LDH is composed of a plurality of hydroxide base layers containing Mg, Al, Ti, and OH group; and interlayers which are interposed between the plurality of hydroxide base layers and composed of anions and H.sub.2O.